Brink, E. Margerette (Vanden Berg)

BRINK, VANDEN BERG, WESSELING

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2005 at 21:44:43

Funeral services for E. Margerette Brink, 92, Palm Desert, Calif., formerly of Des Moines, were held December 13, at the Chapel of the Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home in Pella, the Dr. Randy Ehrhardt of the West Des Moines Christian Church, officiated. Music was provided by Mrs. Eileen Smiley, organist and recorded selections.

Interment was at the Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. Casket bearers were "Grandchildren"- Kurt Brink, Dana Hauser, Kristin Brink, Jeffrey Brink, Michele Sutton, Josie Mahan, and Brett Mahan. Honorary casket bearer was "grandson" Robby Mahan.

Elizabeth Margerette Vanden Berg was born on April 16, 1910, at Pella, Iowa. She was the eighth of nine children born to William and Anna Wesseling Vanden Berg.

Margaret, as she became known, attended Pella Christian Grade School and Pella Public High School. After her sophomore year, she left school to take a job, returning later and graduating from Pella High School.

Soon afterward, Margaret was united in marriage with Myron William Brink, the son of Gerrit and Wilhelmina De Jong Brink. They were married May 28, 1932, at Boyden, Iowa, and gave birth to four children: Keith Elroy, Robert Glenn, Delwin Warren and Myra Joyce. Following their marriage, Margaret and Myron lived in Orange City for five years. They moved to Muskegon, Michigan, where they lived for seven years while Myron worked in a defense plant and in a hardware store. In 1945 they moved to Des Moines, where they lived for two years until moving to Newton.

Myron then began working as an interviewer for Job Service of Iowa. In 1952 they moved to a farm near Colfax, while he continued in his position, which he had held for 25 years while farming part-time. During this time Margaret was employed at Spurgeon's Department Store in Newton as a sales clerk for 15 years.

Myron retired in 1972, and in 1978 they moved back to Des Moines. On October 1, 1985, Myron passed away at age 78. Following his death, Margaret continued living in Des Moines until moving to Palm Desert, California, in 1997. She lived the remainder of her life in California passing away at the California Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Palm Springs on Sunday, December 8, 2002. She was 92 years, seven months and 22 days.

Margaret had been a long time member of the United Presbyterian Church in Newton. Central in her life was her family, to whom she was totally devoted. She also loved home decorating, flowers and plants, and sewing.

She is survived by her four children: Keith E. Brink and his wife, Arlene, of Madison, Wis.; Robert G. Brink of Palm Springs, Fla.; Delwin W. Brink and his wife, Laura, of Palm Desert, Calif.; and Myra J. Mahan of West Des Moines; seven grandchildren, one step-granddaughter, four great-grandchildren and one soon-to-be-adopted great-granddaughter from China.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Myron; her son-in-law, Robert L. Mahan, Jr., who passed away December 20, 2001, at age 54; and a grandson, Robert L. Mahan, III (Robby), who passed away July 19,1993, at age 14; her parents: William and Anna Vanden Berg; and all of her brothers and sisters. They were: Gerrit, who died in infancy, Gerrit H. Vanden Berg, Joe Vanden Berg, Cornelius W. Vanden Berg, Dickie Vanden Berg, Anna (Gradus) Klein, Geraldine (Norman) King and Jessie (Dick) Van Zee. She was the last surviving member of her family.

Arrangements were handled by Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home in Pella.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The Pella Chronicle, December 27, 2002